Fry - Newly hatched fish that are ready to be stocked usually called "swim-ups". Walleye fry are 1/3 of an inch or around 8 mm.

Fingerling - Fingerlings are one to six months old and can range from a size of one to twelve inches depending on the species. Walleye fingerlings range from three to eight inches each fall.

Yearling - Yearling fish are at least one year old. A one-year-old fish can range from three to twenty inches depending on the species. Walleye yearlings average from six to twelve inches.

Adult - Adult fish are fish that have reached maturity. Depending on the species, maturity can be reached at two years of age. Walleye reach maturity between the ages of four and six years.

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelin
es enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

LAKE NAMECounty, DOWID

Species

Meal Advice

Contaminants

Unrestricted

1 meal/week

1 meal/month

Do not eat

PHALENRamsey Co., 62001300

Bluegill Sunfish

All sizes

Mercury PFOS

Carp

All sizes

Mercury

Crappie

All sizes

PFOS

Largemouth Bass

All sizes

PFOS

Northern Pike

All sizes

Mercury PFOS

Walleye

All sizes

Mercury

White Sucker

All sizes

Yellow Perch

All sizes

Mercury

General Population

LAKE NAMECounty, DOWID

Species

Meal Advice

Contaminants

Unrestricted

1 meal/week

1 meal/month

Do not eat

PHALENRamsey Co., 62001300

Bluegill Sunfish

All sizes

PFOS

Carp

All sizes

Crappie

All sizes

PFOS

Largemouth Bass

All sizes

PFOS

Northern Pike

All sizes

Mercury PFOS

Walleye

All sizes

Mercury

White Sucker

All sizes

Yellow Perch

All sizes

Mercury

DOWID - MN DNR, Division of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels that trigger advice to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Status of the Fishery (as of 06/15/2009)

Phalen Lake is primarily managed for Walleye (WAE). Walleye fingerlings are currently stocked biennially on even numbered years at a rate of 4.0 pounds per littoral acre (approximately 320.0 lbs.). Despite doubling the stocking rate since 2002, WAE have been sampled in relatively low abundance during the last two assessments. The average size of WAE in the gill net catch was 19.9 inches in length and 2.8 pounds. Growth rates for WAE were found to be average. Northern Pike (NOP) were sampled within the normal range for abundance, but well below the catch rates of previous assessments. The average size of NOP sampled in 2009 was 18.7 inches and 1.7 pounds. Over one-third of all NOP captured measured 26.0 inches in length or longer. Growth rate of sampled NOP was average. Although Hybrid Muskies are still being stocked, none were captured during this assessment. While yellow perch were sampled with the normal range for abundance, the gill net catch rates in 2009 were the lowest recorded on this lake since 1984 and the fish averaged only 6.4 inches in length. Very few black crappies were sampled during this assessment, but captured fish averaged 7.1 inches long and 0.18 pounds. Bluegill (BLG) were captured in relatively high abundance but the catch rate was about one-half of that recorded in 2004. The average size of BLG sampled was 5.6 inches in length and 0.14 pounds, with approximately 4 percent of the catch being 7.0 inches or larger